“My plan is to be at Bethpage.” Jon Rahm can say it louder, but not clearer. And it is normal for the golfer from Barrika to be there in New York defending the colours of Europe in the Ryder Cup, but the story has a hidden twist and it’s worth telling it well to avoid unpleasant surprises later.
As you know, the champion of the Masters and the US Open was penalised last year by the DP World Tour with a hefty fine and a suspension from some tournaments. The reason is already known: playing LIV Golf tournaments in the same week as DP World Tour events without the corresponding permission to do so. In other words, the sanctions received by all European Tour members who have played in LIV Golf and have religiously complied with them, practically all of them. The last one, in fact, was Sergio García, who paid his fine to become a member of the European Tour again.
Well, to be able to play the Open de España in October last year, Jon had to face that sanction. Besides his usual interest in playing this tournament, the man from Barrika had to do it to meet the minimum number of events stipulated by the DP World Tour to remain a member, an essential condition to play the Ryder Cup. Jon did not pay, but in collusion with the tour, he appealed the sanction before a judicial arbitration. The same as, for example, Tyrrell Hatton. Rahm’s appeal led to the temporary suspension of the DP World Tour sanction pending the judge’s decision.
As things stand, Jon is currently in a situation where he can play European Tour tournaments without having to face fines and other sanctions. However, the sword of Damocles still hangs over his head, suspended by a horsehair. What happens if the judge studying the case decides before the Ryder Cup? Will he be able to play at Bethpage? Will he pay the fine and serve the sanction to be with the European team?
Rahm doesn’t even want to hear about the matter. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I just hope they don’t decide on the appeal before the Ryder Cup. I think it wouldn’t be good for anyone. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but what I am clear about is that my plan is to be at Bethpage,” he assures. He doesn’t want to talk about the matter, but the sword is still there. Everyone takes it for granted that it won’t happen before the Ryder Cup, but no one can rule it out one hundred percent. We’ll see if that bridge is finally crossed.
Be that as it may, even if it doesn’t happen before the Ryder and the parties can save Bethpage, the problem will not have magically disappeared for Mr Damocles. The sharp edge will still be there, and the next conflict could arise with the Open de España in October in Madrid. Jon wants to play it. No matter what. But what would happen if the judge decides between the Ryder Cup and the Open de España (there are a couple of weeks) and sides with the DP World Tour? If Rahm has made anything clear, it is that he disagrees with the sanction and has never intended to pay the fine, at least not in the amount indicated by the DP World Tour. At that point, the million-dollar question is: would Jon pay the fine to play the Open de España? For now, the Basque golfer doesn’t even want to consider that scenario, although sooner or later it will come. No one doubts that the arbitration will side with the DP World Tour, especially since there is precedent, as demonstrated by the 2023 ruling.
